To install an operating system on a new machine, you must, first of all, create an installation source. The installation source can be a DVD, CD, or USB drive with the image of the operating system you want to activate.
Before copying or cloning an operating system, you must format the device and then load the clone or image of the OS. That is where programs or applications such as Rufus come in.
Rufus is an open-source application to format and create bootable USB flash drives. It can also be helpful when you need to work on a machine with no operating system or if you just want to flash a BIOS or any other firmware.
But Rufus also comes with its shortcomings with one of the most notable being the fact that it is designed for Windows systems. That means if you are working with Linux, you may not be able to use Rufus.
Another issue is that Rufus is best suited for formatting and creating USB drives only. That means you don’t get the option to use SD cards, DVDs, or CDs for the same purpose.
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to Rufus that can work seamlessly with multiple systems including Linux.
Best Alternatives to Rufus
Below are some of the most outstanding Rufus alternatives for Linux.
1. UNetbootin
UNetbootin or Universal Netboot Installer was initially released in 2007 and is one of the most popular alternatives to Rufus. It is a cross-platform application, meaning you can use it on different systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
UNetbootin allows you to create bootable Live USB systems. It can also load different system utilities depending on the specifications that you make.
With this application, you can either load utilities to a USB or a partition in your machine. UNetbootin differs from Rufus because it is compatible with various operating systems.
The application comes with a simple user interface, making it easy for anyone to use. It is also available in multiple languages for different nationalities.
This software is free to download and use.
2. balenaEtcher
balenaEtcher is another free open-source software you can opt for if you want to create a bootable USB drive or SD card. With this software, you can copy OS images without the need to have a DVD or CD.
It comes with a simple interface that lets you get the job done within a few clicks. The software is designed in such a way that it also protects your data from getting wiped out accidentally. This is achieved by making flash drive selections obvious.
You’ll know exactly which drives are selected before you proceed to the next stage. Another feature that makes this alternative stand out from Rufus is that it is compatible with multiple platforms.
You can use balenaEtcher with Linux, Windows, and macOS. It is also worth noting that the software lets you write on multiple devices simultaneously and thus saves a lot of time.
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3. Ventoy
Ventoy is another free software you can use to create a bootable USB drive. It is an open-source tool so you can modify it to suit your specific needs.
In contrast to Rufus, Ventoy allows you to copy several ISO files on the flash drive at the same time. When trying to boot, you’ll get to choose which of the various files you want to use.
Another unique feature of this tool is that it lets you boot directly from the ISO files on the flash drive. You don’t have to worry about the process of extraction, which may take a considerable amount of time.
This tool also makes it possible for you to copy ISO files that are more than 4GB in size. That is often a problem with several other alternatives.
Even when you have copied ISO files onto the USB, it will not alter the basic setup. That means you can continue using your USB drive as usual.
Ventoy is another tool that seeks to make the process of copying image files as simple as possible. That is why it also comes with a simple interface letting users of any level run the program easily.
4. Easy2Boot
Easy2Boot is the next tool you can use to create a bootable USB drive. This particular tool simplifies the process of copying ISO files to your USB stick.
It supports partition images, which makes it possible for you to switch between partitions containing various types of file images.
The tool comes with three menu systems that include E2B grub4dos, agFM/grubfm, and Ventoy. These menu systems increase the chances of success when trying to boot different payloads.
This is another unique tool because it supports files of over 4GB in size. Unlike Rufus, Easy2Boot is compatible with various systems including Linux and Windows.
This tool is also among the most convenient because it gives you the option to fully automate Windows installations. In case you are unable to understand a step in the process of using this tool, you can find PDF instructions on the main website.
5. Sardu
Sardu Multiboot Creator is another software you can use to create bootable USB drives. Sardu is portable software meaning you don’t have to install it. Simply download it from the source and start using it straight away.
This software simplifies the process of cloning discs so that you can have backups for security purposes. Additionally, you can restore corrupted files on your system with Sardu.
The software allows you to copy and create over 300 bootable ISO image files. Unlike Rufus, Sardu is compatible with both Linux and Windows systems.
Another advantage you get when you use this tool is that it can run tests and troubleshoot hardware errors. You can also test the security of your networks and improve on any areas that seem to be falling short.
6. GNOME MultiWriter
GNOME MultiWriter is a free open-source tool you can use to create your own bootable USB drives. The program is written in Python
This particular tool is compatible with flash drives that fall between 1GB and 32GB in size. Once you install the program, it can detect all the drives that are compatible and then show you a list to choose from.
You can specify the drives you wish to use or choose them all. That is because GNOME MultiWriter can format and copy ISO files on multiple USB drives at the same time.
With this tool, you can convert files from DVD or CD to your USB stick without any risk of corrupting or losing data. You can even use this program to write ISO to an SD card.
The program comes with a simple interface for easy use. It is also portable software so you won’t have to worry about installing it on your machine.
7. Raspberry Pi Imager
The Raspberry Pi Imager is software developed and distributed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the United Kingdom. The software allows you to easily create a bootable USB drive for your system.
With this program, you can create different ISO files including those for Linux, Windows, and Raspberry OS itself. The Raspberry Pi Imager is also compatible with SD cards.
Once you have the imager on your USB, you can browse multiple operating systems and choose the one you would like to install on your device.
It’s worth pointing out that Raspberry Pi Imager is a free open-source tool you can modify to suit your specific needs.
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8. PowerISO
PowerISO can be another effective tool for creating bootable USB drives. One of its main benefits is that it is able to flash images onto USB drives within a relatively short time.
Another benefit of using this tool is that it has a simple interface with minimal settings. That means anyone can use it without feeling overwhelmed by advanced features.
This particular tool can also help with converting different image formats to ISO, mounting disks, and virtual drives. It is available for different systems including Linux and Windows.
You can also use this tool to burn image files to compact discs if that is what you want. PowerISO is a lightweight software that will take up little space on any device.
9. Universal USB Installer
Universal USB Installer is another alternative to Rufus that can help you create bootable USB drives. This particular tool has a simple user interface that lets you choose your desired ISO image and hit enter before it copies it to the USB drive.
Once copied, you can use your USB drive to install the operating system you want. With this system, you can also run virus scans and clone disks right from the USB drive.
An impressive feature that distinguishes this tool from Rufus and many others on this list is that it allows you to continue using your USB as a storage device.
Universal USB Installer also comes with a built-in USB formatting tool that lets you free up storage space on your flash drive. This particular tool is available for download and use free of charge.
10. Universal USB Installer
Your USB Multiboot Installer is another helpful tool you can consider when trying to create a bootable flash drive. This particular tool supports both Legacy and UEFI BIOS modes.
With this tool, you can easily copy ISO images to the flash drive and use it to boot your system. The tool also allows you to reformat your flash drive if that is what you need to do.
The YUMI tool is also designed with simplicity in mind, which is why it is an ideal pick for anyone including newbies. It incorporates a feature to remove all installed items and revert your drive to its original state.
YUMI also lets you run other programs including virus scans and disk cloning software. This can be quite helpful when you need to create backups and restore files at a later stage.
Another advantage that this particular tool has over Rufus is that it can create multiple ISO images on a single flash drive. That means you get the opportunity to try out different systems for booting.
11. ImageUSB Writer
ImageUSB Writer is another Rufus alternative for Linux you might want to check out. It is available for free and can write an ISO file onto multiple USB drives at the same time.
You can even use this tool for direct imaging between different flash drives. Another advantage that this particular tool has over Rufus is that it can mass duplicate flash drives and that can save you time and money.
ImageUSB Writer is also designed in such a way that it can not only reformat your flash drive but can also redo MBR and GPT. Such action can end up ensuring that you create even more disk space on your drives.
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12. LiveUSB Install
LiveUSB Install is the next Rufus alternative you can use to create bootable flash drives. It is a cross-platform software that is compatible with both Linux and Windows systems.
With this software, you are not limited to one distribution of Linux. Instead, it lets you create a flash drive containing multiple distributions of the operating system.
Another advantage you get when you use this tool is that it lets you download distributions directly from the internet. That means you do not have to worry about finding and downloading an ISO image yourself.
LiveUSB Install is created using completely free software tools including Python, GIMP, Inkscape, and GTK. That is why you can also use it without having to worry about incurring any costs.
LiveUSB Install is one of the few software available that can reformat flash drives of over 32GB. Additionally, it lets you create persistent installs to ensure that you do not lose any data after you reboot.
13. LinuxLive USB Creator
LinuxLive USB Creator is another free and open-source software you can turn to when you want to create a bootable flash drive. This particular software is compatible with multiple platforms including Linux and Windows.
An advantage it has over Rufus is that it comes with a simple interface to let just about anyone try the Linux system. The tool lets you try booting Linux without making any alterations to your Windows system.
If you are an advanced user, you’ll be pleased to know that LinuxLive USB Creator incorporates several Linux distributions for you to utilize.
This program also features SmarClean which helps ensure your disk is free of any residual apps. It also includes an automatic integrity check that scans your system to ensure that everything is working right.
With this software installed on your flash drive, you don’t have to reboot your system to activate it. Instead, you’ll be presented with an auto-prompt on what you need to do next.
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14. Deepin Boot Maker
The next tool you can use to create a bootable flash drive is Deepin Boot Maker. This software was developed by Deepin Technology Team, which is based in Wuhan China.
It is worth pointing out that Deepin is one of the most popular Linux distributions in the particular country. With Deepin Boot Maker, you can easily copy ISO images to the flash drive and have it run the particular Linux distribution you specify.
Unlike Rufus, this particular tool is meant for the Deepin OS variations. It is also important to note that you must install the Deepin OS before you can use this tool.
This tool also boasts of having a simple interface making it possible for different people to take advantage. Of course, it does not come with multiple distributions which limit users to the three main ones available in this category.
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15. Data Duplicator
dd or data duplicator is the final utility tool you can use to create a bootable USB flash drive on this list. It is available by default on both Ubuntu and Mac systems.
With this command-line tool, you copy the image of one disk on another and by doing so you are able to create a bootable flash drive. This particular tool usually works because it is able to specify the input and output drive locations that are necessary for function.
Another important use for this common-line tool is that it can convert different types of data. Additionally, it can wipe block devices, block skipping, and can create hard disk backups.
Unlike Rufus and several other alternatives on this list, data duplicator is an advanced tool and must be used cautiously. dd is available for free which is another reason you might want to use it when creating bootable flash drives.
Final Word
After careful consideration of the various advantages and disadvantages of the tools on this list, Ventoy comes across as the best Rufus alternative for Linux. It is a free open-source tool you can modify to suit your unique needs.
Ventoy also makes it possible for you to copy several ISO files on multiple drives at the same time.
This tool features a simple user interface and has several safety checks to ensure that even newbies can use it without the risk of wiping out important data.
